Hypertension

Hypertension

Nov 06, 2019

What is Hypertension?

High blood pressure is one of the most common disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels (the cardiovascular system).

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood within your arteries as it is pumped around your body by the heart. As the heart pumps, the flow of blood in the arteries and the blood pressure rises and falls in a regular pattern. Blood pressure peaks when the heart pumps – called systole – and falls when the heart relaxes – called diasole – hence two readings (eg. 120/80).

Blood pressure depends on two main things: the volume of blood being pumped by the heart and the resistance that your arteries offer to this flow. There are many substances produced by the body that can affect the tone of your arteries and therefore affect blood pressure.

Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day depending on time of day and activity.

Hypertension is the medical term for persistently elevated high blood pressure that places your heart, circulation and other organs at risk of potential damage in the future.

Symptoms

To find out if you have high blood pressure it is important to have your blood pressure measured regularly. The serious effects of high blood pressure usually develop only after it has been high for some years, with no symptoms to warn you until then.

Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer in millimetres of mercury [mmHg].If your systolic blood pressure reading is 120mmHg & your diastolic 80mmHg, your doctor will record it as 120/80.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

The exact cause of hypertension is often not clear. People who are susceptible often have a family history of hypertension.

It is important to control your blood pressure because it is one of the main risk factors for heart disease, stroke and other blood vessel disease

Other important risk factors include:

Smoking

High cholesterol

Diabetes

Overweight

Being physically inactive

Depression

Diagnosis

High blood pressure overloads the heart and blood vessels. Your heart must work harder to pump blood around the body and eventually may weaken and fail. Blood vessel damage may manifest either as abnormal thickening and narrowing reducing blood flow or dilatation and rupture resulting in bleeding.

Treatment

Some people are able to lower their blood pressure by making lifestyle changes such as:

Healthy eating

Low sodium/salt intake. Aim for 4g of salt a day [ 1550mg sodium a day]

Limit your alcohol intake – no more than 2 standard drinks per day for men & 1 for women, with at least 2 alcohol-free days per week.

Try and do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on all or most days of the week.

Do not smoke

Medications

Many people will also need to take blood pressure lowering medications [anti-hypertensives] to reduce their blood pressure to safe, controlled levels. There are a large variety of medicines available and very often a combination of 2 or more is required to achieve optimum control. They do not cure hypertension but they do control it and need to be taken regularly as prescribed.

Finally it is very important to continue to have your blood pressure monitored regularly so that adjustments can be made to your treatment if required to achieve the most optimal long-term result. As blood pressure does vary during the day, multiple readings are often required to get a true picture of your blood pressure. Your doctor may order a 24-hour blood pressure monitor for this purpose.

Search this site

STEPS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF COVID-19

Thank you to all our patients who have attended our practice so far during the Covid-19 pandemic began. Your understanding and cooperation with new procedures we have in place to protect us all and ensure we comply with government guidelines is very much appreciated.

When attending our rooms you will notice changes such as reduced seating in our waiting room, distancing markings on the floor, protective screens, increased signage on our doors and walls and staff using protective clothing and equipment. Whilst this may seem overwhelming to some, the purpose is for your safety and that of our staff. Please be assured though that our team remain dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and cardiac care.

It is important not to neglect your cardiac health during this crisis and we remain committed to providing all of our usual services.

If you have symptoms of fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, muscle soreness, loss of sense of smell and taste- we advise you contact your GP or local Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND OUR PRACTICE if you have any of the symptoms above – please call our team on 9592 2177 to advise. We offer telehealth consulting so you can remain in direct contact with your cardiologist when you cannot attend.

Other measures we are taking include:

Increased cleaning regimes throughout the day

Cashless payments only

Requesting that you call us from the car upon arrival so you can be advised when you can enter

Asking you to attend alone (where appropriate) to reduce numbers in the practice